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Concept: Mussel beds on circalittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A4.24
Preferred label Mussel beds on circalittoral rock
Definition This habitat type occurs on moderately wave-exposed upper circalittoral bedrock subject to strong or moderately strong tidal streams. This complex is characterised by dense aggregations of the mussels [Mytilus edulis] or [Musculus discors] carpeting the underlying substrata. Sponges that may be recorded in this complex are [Scypha ciliata], [Tethya aurantium], [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Dysidea fragilis] and [Cliona celata]. A sparse hydroid/bryozoan turf composed primarily of [Nemertesia antennina], [Alcyonidium diaphanum] and [Flustra foliacea] is often recorded. Anemones present are [Urticina felina] and [Sagartia elegans]. Other species recorded are the crabs [Cancer pagurus], [Carcinus maenas] and [Necora puber], the starfish [Crossaster papposus] and [Asterias rubens], and [Alcyonium digitatum] and in this upper circalittoral complex, algae species such as [Dictyota dichotoma], [Cryptopleura ramosa] and [Plocamium cartilagineum].
Notation A4.24
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Editorial note
  • There is a certain degree of duplication among some habitat classes in the EUNIS system coming either from BioMar or the Barcelona or HELCOM classifications. Therefore this means that all level 4 definitions (presently based on BioMar and Barcelona) should be checked, and given a new name if necessary. The biogeographic details are to be addressed in level 5 habitats.
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